Juarez

WARNING: Be extremely careful in the city because of gang violence in Ciudad Juarez. Over 5000 people, including some foreigners, have been killed since the beginning of 2009. Most murders are related to the drug trade, but the city remains unsafe for anyone caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Criminal gangs that engage in extortion and kidnapping operate with near impunity. See the "Stay safe" section for more information.

Contents

Get in

A passport is required to enter the United States. Juarez is part of Mexico's zona frontera, and no visa or passport is required to enter from the United States. Pedestrians are rarely stopped or asked for identification. Vehicles may be stopped at random: usually indicated by a red light at the border crossing. Your vehicle may be searched if stopped, and the most serious matter is to carry a firearm or ammunition without a permit to do so: even one spent shell casing may result in serious charges.

Highways exiting Juarez have checkpoints that do require foreigners to present a visa. If you do not have one, you may fill out a tourist card at the checkpoint.

By car

From the rest of Mexico, Juarez is accessible by Mexican Federal Highway 2 which runs along the United States border and Mexican Federal Highway 45 which heads south to Chihuahua.

From the United states, US Highways 62 (Stanton Street in El Paso) and 54 (also known as the Patriot Freeway) end at the Mexican border and are the main international crossings from the United States. Interstate 10 is the major highway leading to El Paso.

Near the Stanton Street bridge in downtown El Paso, most visitors that come for a single day choose to park on the US side of the border and walk across the bridges as to avoid dealing with traffic, lack of parking in the city center, and long waits for vehicles reentering the United States. Parking is generally $3.00 U.S. near the bridges.

By plane

Abraham González Airport (IATA: CJS, ICAO: MMCS) offers flights to several destinations in Mexico, including Chihuahua, Monterrey, and Mexico City. El Paso International Airport (IATA: ELP) is the most convenient airport for U.S. travelers [2].

Understand

Juarez is a large Mexican city located in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. While you are in Mexico, you are nowhere near the tropical Mexico with beautiful beaches and Aztec and Mayan culture many people expect. Juarez is home to the Mexican vaquero (cowboy) culture and you will be more likely to encounter people resembling cowboys than any other vision of a Mexican one might have. However, Juarez is rich in the northern culture of Mexico, and most travelers will find this more charming and realistic than the culture they experience at many other locales that are not off the beaten path in Mexico.

However, special attention must be paid to criminal activity in Juarez, as well as the city and state of Chihuahua in general; there have been recent revelations of police corruption in the area, some incidents quite violent in nature as they pertain to the border area's prevalence in illegal drug and/or human trafficking. Also, visitors, especially females, should be aware of the sexual violence/murder rate amongst the female populace; since 1993, perhaps earlier, hundreds of women, most of them underpaid workers at sweatshops known as "maquildoras," have been killed by persons unknown, their bodies found beaten, raped, tortured and murdered in and around Juarez. As most of the victims are local women, they are deemed by their killers and indeed quite often by those investigating their deaths to be disposable.

Foreign visitors should not have much to worry about as long as they follow common sense; if you avoid venturing out alone into suspicious areas of town, particularly after dark, making obvious your personal wealth to strangers, and staying well clear of any illegal activity, particularly involving drug purchase/smuggling, you should be fine. Just remember that Mexican police are notoriously lacking in concern for those whose activities are considered "high-risk." The US Border Patrol can also be quite mercurial about these matters, and neither American nor Mexican prisons are very enticing places to spend one's vacation.

Juarez experienced over 1600 murders in 2008, 2700 in 2009, and 3100 in 2010 (out of a population of 1,500,000). While many of the victims have been connected with drug trafficking, the random nature of this violence makes caution necessary.

Get around

There is a public bus system in Juarez; however, it is not very easy to use and is often overlooked by tourists. In general, buses have their final destination on a board in the front window. They make frequent stops, and often run in close succession to one another; if you miss a bus, another of the same route is likely to appear in a matter of minutes. Many routes continue to run overnight, if you have no choice but to use them, exercise extreme caution on buses at night and buses that go into poorly policed barrios of the city (especially to the west and south). In recent weeks, buses have been targeted in attacks, mainly aimed to collect protection money for route operators.

Taxis are abundant and inexpensive, but always ask for the ride fee and if possible ask two different drivers to get the best fare. Taxis are not metered, and initial fares may be given based on one's perceived ability to pay (a tourist or wealthier Mexican may be quoted a higher fare). However, most sites of touristic interest in Juarez can be reached by walking in the historic center. Upon arrival in Juarez, it is likely that most foreigners will received by a plethora of taxi drivers offering to drive them to the market. While the market cannot be seen from the border crossing, it is a relatively short walk: after crossing the Santa Fe street bridge, walk down Avenida Juarez to 16 de Septiembre, turn left and then walk about seven blocks (street blocks are much smaller in Juarez than in neighboring El Paso).

Driving in Juarez, while less chaotic than in Mexico City, is not recommended for a casual visitor. While the lack of high-speed freeways means many accidents that happen in the central parts of the city are relatively minor, fender benders in Mexico may involve frustrating red tape. If you drive in Juarez, make sure you have Mexican automobile insurance as not having Mexican insurance may result in criminal charges and a visit to jail.

Most larger businesses have parking lots with attendants that will ask for a nominal fee (25 US cents, or two to three pesos). Watch where you park; cars that are illegally parked on streets may have their license plates removed by a transit cop. The idea is to ensure you will pay the fine before leaving the country (and your plates should be returned after doing so). If this happens to you, the ticket should indicate where to pay your fine, should you chose to do so (you should be able to re-enter the United States in any event, but you may face some added complications with a missing plate).

See

The Guadalupe Mission

The Cathedral

El Chamizal

San Jose Church

Juarez History Museum

Samalayuca Dunes

Art and History Museum

Monument to Benito Juarez

San Agustin Regional Museum

Do

Juarez is unlike many border towns in that it is a major city with over a million inhabitants. However, most foreign tourists will still enjoy the same elements of stereotypical Mexican culture that they do in other border towns such as Nogales, Tijuana, and Nuevo Laredo.

Enjoy a drink at a patio cafe with some chips and salsa at reasonable prices.

Shop the markets for typical Mexican wares.

Attend a bullfight at the Plaza de Toros when in season.

Buy

Typical Mexican souvenirs such as blankets, pottery, and trinkets themed in Mexican culture.

Make sure to haggle as it will be expected. If you act uninterested, or begin to walk away, you should get quoted a lower price. The merchants speak English and are constantly encountering Americans so you will not seem very foreign to them if you are not Mexican yourself. Goods may range from kitschy trinkets to high quality artesan-made glassware, pottery, jewelry, leather goods, and woven cloth. Most markets also have good food and drink, and musical entertainment.

If one cannot live without US-style retail, Juarez has many shopping areas featuring familiar retailers such as Home Depot, Sears and Wal-Mart. Most US (and even some Canadian) banks have branches in Juarez as well.

Eat

Juarez has a great selection of restaurants that specialize in authentic Mexican cuisine. The cuisine in Juarez is not very different from the food that is eaten on the the other side of the Rio Grande in El Paso. A great dish to try for those not experienced in Mexican cuisine would be Steak Ranchero.

Juarez also offers a very international selection including everything from great seafood at Los Arcos, incredible chinese at Shangri-La, Brazilian at Fogueira, and the list continues. Try Maria Chuchena for a nice semi-expensive eclectic meal, afterwards walk out to La Cantera where you can find restaurant/bars to have a few drinks with the locals. Unfortunately, the recent crime wave has shut down many of these establishments.

There are also many small stores and carts that make tacos using fresh tortillas, vegetables, and your choice of several meats such as beef, chicken, pork, and chorizo (a spicy Mexican sausage). As long as you can see the meat being cooked you should feel fine eating this food, although it may be outside of some inexperienced travellers comfort levels. Tacos are served "by the order" and you should expect to pay around 50 pesos for an order of 4.

As Juarez is a major city there are some very nice steakhouses where you will be pampered by an exceptional waitstaff in a luxurious setting. However, expect to pay about half of what you would stateside. A delicious steak dinner with all the fixings can be had for around 200 pesos.

Don't forget the "burritos."

Drink

Be aware that you can't drink in public places or in the street.

Basically beer and tequila will be the alcoholic drinks of choice. Remember, although you are in Mexico, you are in the middle of the desert and not a beach resort so Piña Coladas and Strawberry Daiquiris are unlikely to be at your disposal. However due to the large amount of Texans crossing the border some places will have margaritas ready.

Most people arrive in Mexico expecting Corona to be free flowing, but this beer popular in Mexico. If you are in a tourist place, you will find Corona (Modelo is essentially the domestic version of Corona), but outside of touristy Juarez, the local beer Carta Blanca is the beer of choice. This beer is definitely worth a try as it is a favorite of the locals. The most popular beer with locals is a dark beer called "Indio" and for locals, other brands you can try are "Sol" or "XX lager". If you are thirsty try a "Caguama" in a 1Lt bottle. "Victoria" beer is also a special treat, as it is never exported from Mexico.

Visit the "Kentucky" Bar, one of the oldest bars in Juarez where many famous people like John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Jack Dempsey have walked out on all fours. Kentucky bar is supposedly the birthplace of the Margarita and is across the Santa Fe bridge, and is only a few blocks down on the strip.

For non-alcoholic tastes, try "horchata," a refreshing rice-based drink or "agua de jamaica," a sweet punch made from dried hibiscus flowers. "Licuados" or milkshakes are also very good.

For those wishing not to partake in alcoholic beverages, stop in at any store with the words "La Michoacana" or any reference to "Michoacan" in its name. It sells fruit flavored ice creams, popsicles, and fruit flavored drinks that come in many flavors and are very refreshing under the hot desert sun.

Even soft drinks such as Coca-Cola have a flavor in Mexico that set them apart from their American counterparts: they use cane sugar and not corn syrup.

Sleep

Juarez has its fair share of local and international hotels. However, many travellers will find it easier, and much safer, to spend the night across the Rio in El Paso, as it is a large American city with all the usual American services.

Stay safe

The situation in the state of Chihuahua, specifically Ciudad Juarez, is of special concern. Ciudad Juarez had the highest murder rate in Mexico in 2010. Mexican authorities report that more than 3,100 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2010. Three persons associated with the Consulate General were murdered in March 2010.This high crime statistics have declined dramatically in 2012 and 2013. You should avoid nonessential travel the Guadalupe Bravo area southeast of Ciudad Juarez. US citizens should also defer nonessential travel to the northwest quarter of the state of Chihuahua. From the United States, these areas are often reached through the Columbus, New Mexico, and the Fabens and Fort Hancock, Texas, ports of entry.

In both areas, US citizens have been victims of narcotics-related violence. There have been incidents of narcotics-related violence in the vicinity of the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua. A recent series of muggings near the US Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez targeted applicants for US visas. Visa and other service seekers visiting the consulate are encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those services using a cashless method.

Authorities in both Juarez and El Paso have tried to curb underage drinking, the downtown districts fill with intoxicated club and bar patrons at night, many of these patrons are under 21, sometimes even under 18. A drunken fight or barroom confrontation can escalate into serious violence, so be careful. High-end clubs will very openly discriminate against anyone who looks like "trouble" (shaved heads, tattoos, gang clothing, or even a working class appearance), and even then, often have incidents happening.

At times, there will be suspicious activity in high-end clubs and bars. If you see this going on turn the other way. Also, in traditional Mexican bars or cantinas, unaccompanied women may be seen as "fair game" or may even be rather unwelcome: bars known as "ladies bars" are more accepting and tolerant of female patrons.

If you happen to be at a nightclub or bar, ignore anyone who tries to talk to you. Be extra cautious when other men or women approach you. They often try to to get you to meet their "friends" so that they can get you drunk and can rob you. This how certain groups related to the drug cartel and/or local gangs operate.

While sampling Mexican beer and tequila is highly recommended for a tourist, you should avoid heavy drinking if you are unfamiliar with this border city. It is also best to keep a close watch on drinks in nightclubs, as they may be laced with date rape drugs by strangers to facilitate a robbery.

Police and military

Juarez is being patrolled day and night by local Police officers. The new local police sheriff has established several changes inside the corporation which have lead to a safe and trustable Police service.

Weapons

In case you encounter public violence and/or shootouts which are not very common nowadays (it was in past years ), immediately copy what everyone around you is doing. The people of Juarez know the routine. If you are alone, look for cover under cars, in alleyways, garbage cans, or anywhere else. Do not knock on a random house or business as many of these lock their doors during fire exchanges and open for no one. Take no pictures of violence or any suspicious behavior as you may be assassinated by any person who suspects of playing for the other side.

Do not be caught with any type of weapon in Mexico. This can include a small pocket knife or even ammunition or bullet casings. American motorists have been jailed for driving into Mexico with spent ammunition casings in their car trunk.

Recently, the situation has improved. According to the police, murders have been dropping alongside with crime since the police has started patrolling the streets again. However, you should stil travel with caution, expecting the unexpected at any time.

Cope

Consulates

Get out

Taking a drive eastboud along Mexican Federal Highway 2 is a fun drive that stops in many idyllic Mexican towns along the Rio Grande. You can escape the hustle and bustle of Juarez and slow down a little, as people expect to do in Mexico. (Note, the Valle de Guadalupe southeast of the city is one of the most violent drug war zones).

You will need to have documentation in order to reenter the United States. The United States Government requires that all travelers entering the United States from all Mexican points of entry have a valid passport.